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We drove through the countryside away from the coast and the habitat changed from moist reeds and sandy beaches to the semi-arid central Texas brushland. There were hawks and buzzards and kestrels on every third telephone pole. Predators wait in the curve of the Texas coast to attack and eat the other birds who migrate south and then north around the curve of the Texas coast.
Some rancher kept Zebras, Ostrichs and Springboks on his ranch. Down the street from him we spotted the beautiful Great Kiskadee. It is remarkable with Rufous back and wings, bright yellow chest, and striking black crown and supercilia. Last time we had seen this one was along the border right next to the Rio Grande. This time it was further north.
I was studying a busy bunch of White Crowned Sparrows on a fence, when Berry nudged me to notice the Greater Roadrunner walking across the road in front of our car. This was delightful. He paused next to the fence and we studied him from within twenty feet. They eat lizards and snakes so the people nearby love them. Fantastic chance to see this magnificent bird.
We drove slowly around the neighborhood and discovered a small flock of Inca Doves pecking at a dusty patch in someone's yard. Wow! Another life bird for us. The Inca Dove looks scaly due to the dark border of each of its feathers, but this forms an effective camouflage in the dusty landscape.
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We finally saw the White Winged Dove in an old Spanish Mission near San Antonio. Some kid ran at them to scare them away. We call people like this the "Bird Chasers" and wonder where their pie plate and metal spoon are.
Robert
photo courtesy of kkarlson, tbkinsey
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